To the Celtic support. PSG’s second goal scorer NEYMAR is probably the most disliked footballer of all time who has not played for one of the Ibrox clubs. Last night after Celtic’s 4-0 defeat at the Parc des Princes, Neil Lennon was asked if he was just a wind-up merchant.
“He is, but he knows it. He was trying to wind people up. I said to he players, ‘You just have to keep your discipline and not take the bait’.”
Of course if you check out the various Celtic forums and social media the Brazilian is called much worse than that, with the Celtic support united in their condemnation about the manner in which he conducts himself – apparently always – on the park. The story goes that even the PSG fans don’t like him and he was rather famously shown the door at Barcelona with Lionel Messi far from being a fan of the ‘wind-up merchant’.
I think @JaneyGodley should do voiceovers for @neymarjr https://t.co/8MuxLxGGuY
— Brogan Rogan Trevino (@BroganRoganTrev) July 22, 2020
Anyway enough about that rat. The 4-0 scoreline – comprising of two 2-0 defeats to the PSG first team then their reserves was probably just on the right side of an embarrassment. Celtic had created some great moments in a game where there were some real stand-out performances.
Ryan Christie’s delivery for Jullien header that hit the PSG post was sensational. James Forrest proved he is comfortable at the very highest level of the game when he came off the bench to work their keeper and Olivier Ntcham was very good in that first half against this lot below.
On the downside there remains a clear and obvious doubt around whether Scott Bain can be a successful first pick goalkeeper for Celtic this season – and at the moment he has no competition whatsoever for the gloves. That with just over a week to go to the season starts is a major concern.
And Odsonne Edouard, back in Paris and playing against his old chums at PSG, had a quiet night in the Hoops, which will disappoint him personally.
Speaking to Gerry McCulloch at Celtic TV after the game the Celtic manager had praise for another PSG superstar. “I’m a big fan of Kylian Mbappe and they’ve got quality all over the pitch,” the Celtic manager said.
“I was delighted with Jeremie Frimpong, he was outstanding. I’m delighted with Ryan, too. Some of our players really showed up and they can be really pleased. They may never get that chance to play here again and they made the most of the opportunity.”
Despite the scoreline Lennon at no stage regretted taking up the challenge of facing the French Champions and Champions League contenders in their own back yard. “I didn’t see taking the game as a risk. I thought it was brilliant from a physical and concentration point of view and something we can build on.
“They will have felt the heat of the game but PSG are a world-class team who scored nine and then seven goals in their previous games.
“After a minute you’re thinking, ‘Oh dear . . . not a great start lads’. But I thought we were very good for 40 minutes.
“I’m disappointed with how we started the second half, we were a little too passive for my liking. But I’m pleased we’ve taken it on. I don’t think we need to be down about it. Sometimes the players need to see the game at that level for what it is, and how far you have to strive to get to that level.
“Hopefully they can take a lot from it physically and mentally,” the Celtic manager stated.
On the mysterious absence of skipper Scott Brown from the starting eleven and indeed the substitutes bench the Celtic manager cleared up the issue. “Broony has a bit of a neural problem but hopefully he’ll be OK for the weekend. It’s maybe a little trapped nerve, tracking his back and hamstring. It’s not a major concern.
“We’re hoping to play Dundalk or Derry City next. We just need confirmation from the Irish government. It’s been a good few weeks away for the lads but they’re looking forward to getting back home.”
And asked whether Celtic might be considering sending Leigh Griffiths out on loan, the gaffer was quick to shut that one down completely. “I’m not even considering that at the minute. He’s been coming on but we’ll assess him when we get back.”
